Part 5 (1/2)

FAUST (with averted head)

Terrible to see!

SPIRIT

Me hast thou long with might attracted, Long from my sphere thy food exacted, And now-

FAUST

Woe! I endure not thee!

SPIRIT

To view me is thine aspiration, My voice to hear, my countenance to see; Thy powerful yearning moveth me, Here am I!-what mean perturbation Thee, superhuman, shakes? Thy soul's high calling, where?

Where is the breast, which from itself a world did bear, And shaped and cherished-which with joy expanded, To be our peer, with us, the Spirits, banded?

Where art thou, Faust, whose voice has pierced to me, Who towards me pressed with all thine energy?

He art thou, who, my presence breathing, seeing, Trembles through all the depths of being, A writhing worm, a terror-stricken form?

FAUST

Thee, form of flame, shall I then fear?

Yes, I am Faust: I am thy peer!

SPIRIT

In the tides of Life, in Action's storm, A fluctuant wave, A shuttle free, Birth and the Grave, An eternal sea, A weaving, flowing Life, all-glowing, Thus at Time's humming loom 'tis my hand prepares The garment of Life which the Deity wears!

FAUST

Thou, who around the wide world wendest, Thou busy Spirit, how near I feel to thee!

SPIRIT

Thou'rt like the Spirit which thou comprehendest, Not me!

(Disappears.)

FAUST (overwhelmed)

Not thee!

Whom then?

I, image of the G.o.dhead!

Not even like thee!